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AUCTION ITEMSENJOY A SPECIAL EVENING OF WINE, DINNER, DANCING AND BIDDING!
Come Raise a Glass, Raise a Paddle, and Help Raise Funds for Lifesaving Service Dog Teams!
SAVING LIVES AT BOTH ENDS OF THE LEASH FOR OVER A DECADE
In 2010, a Marine veteran with severe PTSI reached out to our founder, Army Veteran Mary Cortani, for help. He had been on another program's waiting list for three years without being matched with a service dog. When Mary answered that call, she knew she had found her calling and Operation Freedom Paws (OFP) was born.
We are committed to empowering veterans, first responders, children and other individuals with disabilities, by teaching them how to train a rescued dog to support their specific disabilities. OFP's 48-week training program provides clients with a team of mentor-trainers, mental health counseling, service dogs and their care, temporary housing, food and gas cards, and access to trauma treatment with the leading medical experts at Stella - at no cost them. We have welcomed over 500 clients and their family members into our program and pulled hundreds of dogs from shelters and rescues to be the lifelines by their sides.
On behalf of our clients who tell us the program has saved their lives and healed their families, we say THANK YOU!
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
By My Side tells the powerful story of three veterans who suffer with PTSI and how they find help where they least expect it - in the heart of a service dog.
Thank you to our clients Emilio, Kim, Ramon and their families for bravely telling their stories and filmmaker Vicki Topaz for giving those stories visibility so others veterans can be inspired to find hope and healing.
Donate Now
TOGETHER, we can help save TWO lives, ONE team at a time.
OFP has earned the 2021 GuideStar Seal of Transparency, their highest rating. All donations are SOC 2 Compliant and assure the highest level of security, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data.
No act of generosity is too small to make a difference.
BECOME A CHAMPION FUNDRAISER!
As a OFP Champion Fundraiser you'll get to create your own personalized fundraising page that can be shared out to friends and colleagues. Here you can include a photo, a personal call to action, and the fundraising goal you'd like to set. It's takes just minutes to set up. There you'll see a real time progress bar that lets you and your team know how close you are to your goal. And we'll be sure to share your fundraising efforts on our social media platforms and root you on! Your team will have a three week window to fundraise ending the night of the gala, Saturday, August 5th, at 10p. There is real power in community and YOUR community has the power to help save lives.
K9 Champion Fundraising Teams: The Blue Crew vs. The Red Crew!
Three years ago, OFP Ambassador Sgt. Ed Soares threw down a challenge to his fellow K9 police officers to see who could raise the most for our mission. Their combined efforts made it possible to welcome a new service dog team into the program in both 2021 and 2022. This year, they've got some heated competition thanks to San Francisco Fire Department's K9 teams led by Captain Jonathan Baker. Who will raise the most funds in support of fellow veterans and first responders, "The Blue Crew" or "The Red Crew"?
THE BLUE CREW!
AMBASSADOR DUKE-BLUE CREWK9 KLEIO-BLUE CREWK9 KING FRANCES-BLUE CREW
K9 PAKO-BLUE CREWK9 HOPE-BLUE CREWK9 JJ & K9 Gary-BLUE CREW
THE RED CREW!
Check Out Our Amazing OFP Champion Fundraising Teams!
Which OFP Champion Fundraising Team will raise the most for our mission?
Support your favorite team here!
Team MadridTEAM Family Pet CareTEAM WORLD GONE GOOD
OUR GALA HOSTS: JONA DENZ-HAMILTON AND MARK TURNER
Mark and Jona make a dynamic duo, where their wit, professionalism, and heart are well matched. They are engaging and entertaining hosts who connect with our mission and an audience. These amazing supporters have donated their time and professional skills to many events and continue to raise the bar to raise more funds year over year.
Jona Denz-Hamilton is an iconic radio personality with a vast knowledge of music. She has been bringing The Bay Area music since 1996 and can currently be heard on 997ClassicRock.com weekdays from 9am-2pm. Her warm and friendly personality makes everyone feel like they're hanging out with a close friend.
Mark Turner is the Mayor of Morgan Hill and a professional auctioneer. Mark combines his business and people skills to create a fun and lively auction environment where everyone enjoys some spirited paddle raising and competition to benefit our service dog teams.
OUR MUSICAL ARTISTS
The OFP ALLSTARS
When the OFP ALLSTARS banded together to make a difference and the chemistry was magic. These musicians love to entertain and give back to their communities and they rock both! As you probably figured out, Operation Freedom Paws inspired their name and we couldn't be prouder. The band features J.A. Walstrum on vocals, Randy Thilmanny on drums, Rob Fernandez on guitar and vocals, Mike Palos on keyboards, Ken Vereschagin on trumpet, Rick Oderio on bass guitar, and Mark Fenichel on guitar and harmonica.
The OFP ALLSTARS have been a big hit at our wine galas and virtual concerts for years. These talented artists can play everything from rock and roll to oldies, country and funk. If you've ever seen them in action you know how much their music adds to the evening. We are thrilled to welcome these amazing supporters back to our stage!
SHOUT OUT TO OUR DOUBLE MAGNUM SPONSOR
STAR ONE CREDIT UNION
The employees, Board and Volunteers of Star One recognize the importance of contributing to the communities we serve and being a strong corporate citizen.
Star One partners directly and indirectly with many different organizations throughout Santa Clara County and neighboring counties to support and provide resources through direct financial support, other in-kind contributions to organizations, and by participating in local public service activities.
SHOUT OUT TO OUR MAGNUM SPONSOR
PIEDMONT MOVING SYSTEMS
Piedmont Moving Systems is a full-service moving team, operating as a family-owned business since 1981. From server transport to corporate logistics, our Silicon Valley based business offers a wide range of comprehensive moving services tailored to the unique needs of local businesses. Our fully trained and certified moving team is well-equipped to handle technology distribution systems, hospitality logistics, trade show and retail transport, data center transfers, and warehousing needs of every magnitude.
We love OFP and its mission and we care proud to support it!
SHOUT OUT TO OUR CHAMPAGNE SPONSORS
THE FORD STORE MORGAN HILL
People all over the Bay Area appreciate how The Ford Store Morgan Hill conducts business with our transparent, everyday low bottom-line sale prices. Our dealership is the Number 1 Retail Volume Ford Dealer in the entire Bay Area-and the most highly awarded Ford dealer in all of Northern California!
GINA LOPEZ - STATE FARM INSURANCE
Excited to be one of the sponsors! As a veteran myself, it is so important that we help all veterans in need of support. No woman or man left behind!
The mission of my business is to provide a comprehensive and valuable service to our State Farm customers. We base our recommendations on your individual needs and goals. Our agency professionals deliver the highest quality of service, help to safeguard you and your family against life's unexpected moments, and offer Trupanion Pet Insurance to help you best care for your furry family members too.
E&S USA
Your bay area engineering company for general engineering, excavation, demo, utility infrastructure and trucking!
FAMILY PET CARE CENTER
Come to Family Pet Care Center for all your animal veterinary needs. Our Family-owned veterinary hospital is dedicated to providing the best available veterinary care to your pets. We are deeply grateful for the incredible care they give our service dogs and their daily support of our mission.
SHOUT OUT TO OUR DINNER SPONSOR
GOLDEN BEAR PROVISIONS
Golden Bear Provisions provides the finest delicatessen and specialty products to Northern California. Our customers include a wide range of retailers and food service operators. We serve family-owned specialty markets, multi-location supermarkets, delis, cafes, upscale restaurants, hotels, caterers and more. As a local Boar's Head Purveyor, we provide everything from high-end deli meats, artisan cheeses, premium charcuterie and condiments.
SHOUT OUT TO OUR RED WINE SPONSORS
PINNACLE BANK
For more than 15 years, Pinnacle Bank has been the trusted bank of choice for businesses throughout Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey counties. By offering the ideal blend of advanced banking technology with professional bankers who truly know and care about their clients, Pinnacle Bank provides a level of personalized service that the big mega-banks simply can't match.
TODD MONTGOMERY
Operation Freedom Paws supporter dedicated to helping our clients and their family members heal.
RAVENOX
Ravenox has its roots in service. Master Gunnery Sergeant and OFP Ambassador, Sean Brownlee, founded the company in 2012 and strives to provide jobs to veterans. His experience in the U.S. Marine Corps with rope has allowed him to grow a company built on a foundation of strong ideals that give back to his country-- providing American-made cordage products that he grew to know well during his service.
SHOUT OUT TO OUR ADDITIONAL RED WINE SPONSORS
CLINE GLASS CONTRACTORS INC.
Cline Glass Contractors, Inc. is a Specialty Contractor that serves the Fremont, CA area and specializes in Design and Engineering, Glass and Glazing. Thank you to Tom Cline and his team for their generous support of our mission. We are proud to have this family-built, long standing Bay Area business as a Red Wine Sponsor.
CONKLIN BROS. FLOOR COVERINGS
Purchasing new floor covering is an important decision- one that most of us will live with for many years. Whether you're working with a tight budget or desire only the crème de la crème, you can rest assured you are buying a quality product that will be both beautiful and durable for years to come.
GILROY LIFE
MORGAN HILL LIFE
Life Media Group is a proud sponsor of Operation Freedom Paws and its service to local veterans and their canine pals. We publish Morgan Hill Life and Gilroy Life newspapers and we have long encouraged the residents of the South Valley region to support this wonderful nonprofit organization in their endeavors to bring relief to those who have protected our freedoms by serving in the armed forces.
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR VENDORS:
OLD CITY HALL RESTAURANT
We would like to acknowledge Bobby, A Marine veteran and his wife Fran, the owners of Old City Hall Restaurant for providing us with all the delicious food for our 12th Annual "Paws with Patriots" Wine Gala. Your ongoing support of our clients and fundraising events has made a profound impact on our mission.
Old City Hall is Gilroy's Premiere Restaurant in Historic Downtown Gilroy, California. You can check out their website here: Old City Hall Restaurant.
A BIG THANK YOU TO THE MORGAN HILL GRANGE AND THEIR EVENT COORDINATOR, HEIDI GOLDEN
Heidi has generously donated her time and professional services to bring décor, table arrangements, and amazing local vendors to this event since 2021.
MICHI'S FLORAL COMPANY
Amy Osako-Aochi of Michi's Floral Company designs our beautiful wine gala bouquets - her arrangements elevate any event.
